So my wife and I just divorced and I'm claiming my 3 kids this year for my taxes. I reapplied with the Health Marketplace with just me and the kids on my application (since I'm claiming them for tax purposes I have to claim them on my Health Marketplace application). Apparently since I have a household of 4, my income isn't high enough to qualify for a tax credit. The minimum to qualify is $23,850. I will only make about $17,000 (shutup... I was a stay at home dad... going back to school). Since I don't make enough to qualify for the credit, the plan I was on would cost me $261 and I can't afford that right now. However, the lady I spoke with on the phone told me that all I needed to do was overestimate my income to the minimum and I'd qualify for a credit AND it wouldn't affect my taxes when I file. She further explained the it's only a problem when I underestimate my income with them because then I could have the overpaid credit taken out of my return. Can someone please break this down Barney style so I can understand why overestimating my income isn't an issue?? It's nice now that I get a $210 credit towards my monthly premium but it sounds insane to think that anyone making UNDER the $23,850 minimum for a tax credit can just overestimate their income and get the credit and have no repercussions.